Environmental Protection Department Research Articles

Enhanced Water Quality Protection in Florida: An Analysis of the Regulatory and Practical Significance of an Outstanding Florida Water Designation

The Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) designation is the highest protection offered to a body of water by the state of Florida and is available only to those waters whose “natural attributes” warrant it. An OFW designation provides that water body with an antidegradation standard for certain activities affecting its water quality. Ordinarily, waters in Florida must meet the criteria established by rule for their respective class of water (based on the Florida water body classification system), regardless of existing water quality. Once a water body is designated as an OFW, however, a baseline water quality standard is set based on the ambient water quality of that particular water body. Because the OFW water quality standard may be higher than the rule-based water quality classification criteria, regulated activities that may affect the OFW are subject to additional scrutiny by regulatory agencies. In addition, those activities not necessarily occurring within an OFW, but that may “significantly degrade” an OFW, are subject to heightened scrutiny.The ability of current OFW regulation to fulfill the legislative intent behind the OFW designation remains uncertain. Judicial and administrative case law addressing OFWs provide little clear guidance in interpreting the statutory standards for the issuance of permits in or affecting OFWs, especially the “clearly in the public interest” standard. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) should consider adopting for the OFW Program the type of public interest benefits/costs balancing test currently provided for in Aquatic Preserves Program rules. This test creates a discernible distinction between the public interest standard for submerged lands activities that are within aquatic preserves as opposed to those occurring outside of the preserves.The effect of the OFW designation on water quality parameters subject to a narrative standard (nutrients), and on water quality parameters that are not currently established by rule (e.g. emerging pathogens of concern) has not been established. In addition OFWs do not appear to enjoy any special consideration as designated uses subject to impaired waters restoration. The definitions of non-degradation and of ambient water quality for the purposes of OFW designation should be amended to ensure that they contemplate degradation by contaminants other than the current rule–based list of water quality standards and criteria. The extent to which Best Management Practices (BMPs) for silviculture operations are sufficient to safeguard OFW water quality may require further research. In addition, the extent to which the OFW statute and rules recognize the ecological role and recreational value of riparian zones remains in question. This should be clarified by the FDEP.

Optimization of air pollutant monitoring stations with constraints using genetic algorithm

The design of air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) is very important for environmental protection department. The task, however, has been proven to be in the class of nondeterministic polynomial (NP)-hard problem. The powerful search capability of

A polymorphic lanthanide complex as selective Co2+ sensor and luminescent timer

A rarely reported polymorphic lanthanide complex is prepared by acetylacetone (acac) tuning method. Luminescence properties of 1 are studied. Interestingly, 1 is proved to be a multifunctional material. It is a highly selective and sensitive Co2+ sensor, among 24 species, only Co2+ quenching the Tb3+ centered luminescence. The possible sensing mechanism is the decomposition of 1 which induced by Co2+. The limit of detection (LOD) for sensing Co2+ is as low as 330nM, which is lower than the standard of Chinese environmental protection department. Mechanism study confirmed the luminescence quenching can be ascribed to the decomposition of 1 which induced by Co2+. Further investigations find 1-Co2+ can be applied as tunable luminescent timer, by tuning the ratio of 1/Co2+. CIE coordinates of 1-Co2+ change regularly (has excellent linearity) from green to violet with the time increasing.

DETERMINATION OF CONTAMINATATED WELLS TO NO3-N: A NOVEL VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL

Contamination of well with nitrate-N (NO3-N) posses various threats to human health. This problem becomes even more critical when these wells serve as source of drinking water as in the case of many rural parts of USA. This article employs Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) for determination of non-contaminated and contaminated well with nitrate-N (NO3-N) in Polk County, Florida (USA). This research will provide a regional scale integrated GIS-based modeling approach to predict NO3-N contamination of ground water in a cost effective way. This approach also allows for higher true positive results (TPR) with fewer variables when data are imprecise and full of uncertainty which is common with available regional scale data). RVM technique is a Bayesian extension of the Support Vector Machine (SVM). Here, the RVM has been used as a classification tool. Well water quality data (nitrate-N) from 6,917 wells provided by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (USA) has been used to develop the RVM model. An equation has been also presented from the developed RVM model. The developed RVM has been compared with the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and SVM models. This study shows that the developed RVM produces promising result for prediction of non-contaminated and contaminated well with N. The model is important because its real world applications enable water managers to more effectively manage contaminant levels within specific watersheds.

DETERMINATION OF CONTAMINATATED WELLS TO NO3-N: A NOVEL VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL

Contamination of well with nitrate-N (NO3-N) posses various threats to human health. This problem becomes even more critical when these wells serve as source of drinking water as in the case of many rural parts of USA. This article employs Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) for determination of non-contaminated and contaminated well with nitrate-N (NO3-N) in Polk County, Florida (USA). This research will provide a regional scale integrated GIS-based modeling approach to predict NO3-N contamination of ground water in a cost effective way. This approach also allows for higher true positive results (TPR) with fewer variables when data are imprecise and full of uncertainty which is common with available regional scale data). RVM technique is a Bayesian extension of the Support Vector Machine (SVM). Here, the RVM has been used as a classification tool. Well water quality data (nitrate-N) from 6,917 wells provided by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (USA) has been used to develop the RVM model. An equation has been also presented from the developed RVM model. The developed RVM has been compared with the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and SVM models. This study shows that the developed RVM produces promising result for prediction of non-contaminated and contaminated well with N. The model is important because its real world applications enable water managers to more effectively manage contaminant levels within specific watersheds.

Study on Multi-Department Joint Supervision Mechanism for Redevelopment of Industrial Contaminated Sites

There is strong demand for redevelopment of the sites of industrial enterprises having been shut down or relocated (hereinafter referred to as industrial contaminated sites) due to its good geographical location. Direct development of contaminated sites without any remedy and restoration will bring prominent risks of environmental security, health and society. The government must pay high attention to this issue. This paper analyzes environmental risks and relevant supervision departments in different links of the process from relocation to redevelopment of industrial sites. Based on these, this paper presents the whole-process mechanism for prevention and control of environmental risks of the relocation, flow (land use change) and post-flow stages involving several government departments such as industry & information department, national land department, housing and construction department and environmental protection department. This study could provide an important reference to the establishment of effective joint supervision mechanism for redevelopment of contaminated industrial sites in China.

The effect of climatic parameters on air pollution in Sanandaj, Iran

Air pollution is one of the emerging environmental issues of the western cities of Iran. Daily data (2009-2012) on air pollutants in Sanandaj, Iran, were collected from the Department of Environmental Protection, Kurdistan Province, Iran. Climatic parameters were collected from the Kurdistan Meteorological Bureau. The quality of air was assessed based on the air quality index (AQI). The relationship between climatic parameters was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. AQI indicated that the air quality in Sanandaj is under normal conditions. However, Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) was at medium and critical level, requiring precautionary measures for the health of the elderly and children. The concentration of PM 10 has increased in recent years during the months of April to June (reached an unhealthy level in the warm days of the year). The highest pollutant concentration (CO and SO 2 ) was observed during cold days of the year (December to February). The highest concentration of NO 2 , NO, O 3 , and PM 10 were observed in summer and spring, whereas the lowest concentrations were observed in cold seasons. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between air pollutants and climatic parameters. The multiple regression analysis and R 2 analysis showed the influence of climatic factors on pollutant concentration. ANOVA indicated Factors which cause the most significant variability in pollutant concentration are air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed.

Assessment of ferrous chloride and Portland cement for the remediation of chromite ore processing residue

Chromite Ore Processing Residue (COPR) is an industrial waste containing up to 7% chromium (Cr) including up to 5% hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. The remediation of COPR has been challenging due to the slow release of Cr(VI) from a clinker like material and thereby the incomplete detoxification of Cr(VI) by chemical reagents. The use of sulfur based reagents such as ferrous sulfate and calcium polysulfide to detoxify Cr(VI) has exasperated the swell potential of COPR upon treatment. This study investigated the use of ferrous chloride alone and in combination with Portland cement to address the detoxification of Cr(VI) in COPR and the potential swell of COPR. Chromium regulatory tests, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analyses were used to assess the treatment results. The treatment results indicated that Cr(VI) concentrations for the acid pretreated micronized COPR as measured by XANES analyses were below the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) standard of 20mgkg−1. The Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) Cr concentrations for all acid pretreated samples also were reduced below the TCLP regulatory limit of 5mgL−1. Moreover, the TCLP Cr concentration for the acid pretreated COPR with particle size ⩽0.010mm were less than the universal treatment standard (UTS) of 0.6mgL−1. The treatment appears to have destabilized all COPR potential swell causing minerals. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) for the treated samples increased significantly upon treatment with Portland cement.

A Risk Assessment Approach for Policy Evaluation: New Jersey Case Studies

ABSTRACTMonitoring environmental policy progress often focuses on contaminant concentrations while policy goals address health. To bridge this gap, we developed policy evaluation case studies applying risk assessment methods to explore population health risks of chemical exposures before and after policy implementation. Beginning in the 1970s the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection provided some of the United States' first data on contaminants including trichloroethylene in drinking water and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish. These data provide a unique opportunity to evaluate environmental policies. The 1979 PCB manufacturing ban succeeded in reducing exposure and risk, but the persistence of these compounds in local fish requires continued state and local consumption advisories. The positive impact of drinking water standards for trichloroethylene was reflected in declining detection in public water supplies from the late 1970s to 2005, although maximum concentrations in a small percentage of supplies remain above standards. Our case studies show success and progress, and the need for multiple policies in combination when conditions warrant. Tracking specific policies and contaminants using risk assessment methods can be a valuable tool for policy evaluation and can foster population-based environmental health research. Pollution prevention policies are warranted for chemicals that persist in the environment.

Carbon Dioxide Concentrations and Temperatures within Tour Buses under Real-Time Traffic Conditions.

This study monitored the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and temperatures of three 43-seat tour buses with high-passenger capacities in a course of a three-day, two-night school excursion. Results showed that both driver zones and passenger zones of the tour buses achieved maximum CO2 concentrations of more than 3000 ppm, and maximum daily average concentrations of 2510.6 and 2646.9 ppm, respectively. The findings confirmed that the CO2 concentrations detected in the tour buses exceeded the indoor air quality standard of Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (8 hr-CO2: 1000 ppm) and the air quality guideline of Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (1 hr-CO2: 2500 ppm for Level 1 for buses). Observations also showed that high-capacity tour bus cabins with air conditioning system operating in recirculation mode are severely lacking in air exchange rate, which may negatively impact transportation safety. Moreover, the passenger zones were able to maintain a temperature of between 20 and 25°C during travel, which effectively suppresses the dispersion of volatile organic compounds. Finally, the authors suggest that in the journey, increasing the ventilation frequency of tour bus cabin, which is very beneficial to maintain the travel safety and enhance the quality of travel.

Predictors of Indoor Radon Concentrations in Pennsylvania, 1989-2013.

BackgroundRadon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. Most indoor exposure occurs by diffusion of soil gas. Radon is also found in well water, natural gas, and ambient air. Pennsylvania has high indoor radon concentrations; buildings are often tested during real estate transactions, with results reported to the Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).ObjectivesWe evaluated predictors of indoor radon concentrations.MethodsUsing first-floor and basement indoor radon results reported to the PADEP between 1987 and 2013, we evaluated associations of radon concentrations (natural log transformed) with geology, water source, building characteristics, season, weather, community socioeconomic status, community type, and unconventional natural gas development measures based on drilled and producing wells.ResultsPrimary analysis included 866,735 first measurements by building, with the large majority from homes. The geologic rock layer on which the building sat was strongly associated with radon concentration (e.g., Axemann Formation, median = 365 Bq/m3, IQR = 167–679 vs. Stockton Formation, median = 93 Bq/m3, IQR = 52–178). In adjusted analysis, buildings using well water had 21% higher concentrations (β = 0.191, 95% CI: 0.184, 0.198). Buildings in cities (vs. townships) had lower concentrations (β = –0.323, 95% CI: –0.333, –0.314). When we included multiple tests per building, concentrations declined with repeated measurements over time. Between 2005 and 2013, 7,469 unconventional wells were drilled in Pennsylvania. Basement radon concentrations fluctuated between 1987 and 2003, but began an upward trend from 2004 to 2012 in all county categories (p < 0.001), with higher levels in counties having ≥ 100 drilled wells versus counties with none, and with highest levels in the Reading Prong.ConclusionsGeologic unit, well water, community, weather, and unconventional natural gas development were associated with indoor radon concentrations. Future studies should include direct environmental measurement of radon, as well as building features unavailable for this analysis.CitationCasey JA, Ogburn EL, Rasmussen SG, Irving JK, Pollak J, Locke PA, Schwartz BS. 2015. Predictors of indoor radon concentrations in Pennsylvania, 1989–2013. Environ Health Perspect 123:1130–1137; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409014

Implementing Legally Mandated Science and Peer Review in Support of the Everglades Restoration Program

The Everglades Forever Act mandates that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District conduct any research necessary to numerically interpret Florida’s existing phosphorus criterion narrative standard, which requires phosphorus levels cause no imbalance in flora and fauna. The Act commands such research to: meet ambitious deadlines, utilize spatial-scaled science, incorporate substantive peer review, be open for public comment, and be published in scientific literature. These commands riddle phosphorus research with multiple obstacles.This article reviews phosphorus criterion research in the Everglades as an example of scientific excellence resulting from open publication in light of litigation, urgency, and ultimate need to support decision making on definitive phosphorus standards. Specifically, the article begins by reviewing the everglades system and its environmental issues, including those resulting from increased phosphorus levels. The article continues on to summarize the Everglades phosphorus research processes, challenges, and resulting benefits.Ultimately, the article supports the use of phosphorus research in the Everglades as a model example of the positive effects that can result when research is conducted in an open research process.

English

The listing of the Monongahela River as an impaired waterway prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to adjust aqueous discharge limits to the river to no more than 250 mg/L of sulfate. In response to this, an analysis of water treatment options for a coal mining company was conducted at several non-operating mines in western Pennsylvania that discharge directly or indirectly to the Monongahela River. Given the extremely high capital and operations costs for typical sulfate reduction methods such as reverse osmosis and ion exchange, novel passive and semi-passive treatment options were explored. An ethanol-fed bioreactor system was selected, designed, and constructed in 2014 to test whether sulfate reducing bacteria could be utilized to remove sulfate in alkaline mine water to meet discharge limits. The unique design elements consist of metals removal circuit, ethanol feed circuit, and twin bioreactors bedded with large cobbles and seeded with sulfate reducing bacteria, but containing no additional carbon source. Biochemical performance has shown that sulfate reduction approaches 1500 mmol SO4 m -3/ day during warmer weather, one of the highest rates recorded in the literature. Effluent sulfate ranged from 58 to 400 mg/L at 16oC and about 1400 mg/L at 2oC compared to influent sulfate concentrations that averaged 2800 mg/L. In addition, the bioreactor produced 500-1500 mg/L of total alkalinity due to microbial metabolism supported by the ethanol, typically corresponding with sulfate decreases. Effluent metal concentrations were decreased to 1 mg/L Fe and 0.2 mg/L Mn. The recirculation loop was found to remove 90% of iron in the original settling pond prior to entering the reactors to minimize sludge accumulation. Additional

Climat Policy of the Russian Federation and the Problem of Global Climate Change

The article considers the participation of Russia in the system of global governance of climate change. Object of analysis is the Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation. Climate Doctrine states that global warming may have both a negative and positive consequences for our country in view of its geographical position, length and area. These features, as well as the low population density in the regions of greatest climate risk, open up additional opportunities for adaptation to climate change. At the same time it emphasizes the need to prevent conflict of regional interests in the formation of climate policy. The author advocates a more active position of Russia in overcoming the effects of climate change, as well as the reduction of anthropogenic impact on the global climate effects. It emphasizes the role of civil society and the media in the development of environmental awareness among the political elite of the country. The article separately considers Moscow's participation in the formulation and implementation of climate policy in Russia. Currently, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Moscow is working on updating the Memorandum of Understanding between Moscow and C40 (Partnership of major cities in the fight against climate change) as the main framework document regulating cooperation with the C40 and the membership of Moscow in the organization.

Розробка макрокінетичної математичної моделі процесу біологічної очистки газоподібних викидів

The main purpose of this article is familiarization of specialists with the basics of design of macrokinetic mathematical models of biological treatment of gasiform emissions from organic and inorganic toxicants and odorant. Research, that given in the article, was done according to plans of research of labor and environment protection department and chemical engineering and industrial ecology department of NTU KhPI

Pennsylvania's technologically enhanced, naturally occurring radioactive material experiences and studies of the oil and gas industry.

This presentation provides an overview of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's experiences and ongoing studies related to technologically enhanced, naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM) in the oil and gas industry. It has been known for many years that Pennsylvania's geology is unique, with several areas having relatively high levels of natural uranium and thorium. In the 1950s, a few areas of the state were evaluated for commercial uranium production. In the late 1970s, scoping studies of radon in homes prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP) to begin planning for a larger state-wide radon study. The BRP and Oil and Gas Bureau also performed a TENORM study of produced water in the early 1990s for a number of conventional oil and gas wells. More recently, BRP and the Bureau of Solid Waste developed radiation monitoring regulations for all Pennsylvania solid waste disposal facilities. These were implemented in 2001, prompting another evaluation of oil and gas operations and sludge generated from the treatment of conventionally produced water and brine but mainly focused on the disposal of TENORM solid waste in the state's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle D landfills. However, since 2008, the increase in volumes of gas well wastewater and levels of Ra observed in the unconventional shale gas well flow-back fracking water has compelled DEP to fully re-examine these oil and gas operations. Specifically, with BRP in the lead, a new TENORM study of oil and gas operations and related wastewater treatment operations has been initiated (), supported by an American National Standards Institute standard on TENORM () and a U.S. Government Accountability Office report on shale resource development and risks (). This study began in early 2013 and will examine the potential public and worker radiation exposure and environmental impact as well as re-evaluate TENORM waste disposal. This presentation summarizes conventional and unconventional oil and gas well operations, geology and respective uranium/thorium content, radium content in oil and gas wastewater, treatment solids, radon in natural gas, the scope of other TENORM issues in the state, regulatory framework, national regulations and guidance. It also provides an overview of past and the status of ongoing TENORM studies in the Commonwealth (; Rowan and Kraemer 2012; ).

From Mylar to map documents: GIS AML inventory for abandoned coal mine investigations

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR) addresses safety and environmental issues resulting from past coal mining. They design and contract reclamation projects to restore mined land to original contour, use or condition. Part of this process involves mining engineers responding to requests for funding to reclaim certain areas. The state will consider reclaiming these areas if past mining resulted in safety and environmental hazards to exist on the site. Mining engineers use outdated maps and cumbersome methods to investigate past mining history. The GIS AML inventory was designed to streamline the investigations process . By incorporating multiple layers of data related to the investigations process within ArcGIS, investigations can be performed in a more-timely and cost-effective manner. This article presents the design and utilisation of the GIS AML inventory .

New York City Panel on Climate Change 2015 Report. Chapter 6: Indicators and monitoring.

William Solecki,1,a Cynthia Rosenzweig,2,a Reginald Blake,3,a Alex de Sherbinin,4 Tom Matte,5 Fred Moshary,6 Bernice Rosenzweig,7 Mark Arend,6 Stuart Gaffin,8 Elie Bou-Zeid,9 Keith Rule,10 Geraldine Sweeny,11 and Wendy Dessy11 1City University of New York, CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities, New York, NY. 2Climate Impacts Group, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University Earth Institute, New York, NY. 3Physics Department, New York City College of Technology, CUNY, Brooklyn, NY; Climate Impacts Group, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. 4 Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, Palisades, NY. 5New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY. 6NOAA CREST, City College of New York, CUNY, New York, NY. 7CUNY Environmental Crossroads, City College of New York, CUNY, New York, NY. 8Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University Earth Institute, New York, NY. 9Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. 10Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ. 11New York City Mayor’s Office of Operation, New York, NY

Trends in Marine Turtle Strandings along the East Queensland, Australia Coast, between 1996 and 2013

In-water monitoring of marine vertebrates is usually expensive while the use of stranding data can be used to provide a cost-effective estimation of disease and mortality. Strandings for Queensland are recorded in a web based database (StrandNet) managed by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP). Data recorded in StrandNet from the east coast of Queensland between 1996 and 2013 were investigated for patterns of stranding. Significant trends in Queensland over this time were (i) an increase in the number of animals reported stranded within this study site; (ii) a species (loggerhead and green marine turtles) prevalence; (iii) a seasonal effect on different age classes stranding with most overall strandings occurring between August and November; and (iv) stranding hotspots (Moreton Bay, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton region, and Cleveland Bays) persisting throughout the study timeframe. This study suggested that intervention strategies, such as rehabilitation, should be able to be focussed on periods of heightened importance and specific localities to minimize health risks and contribute to sustainable use of resources.

Quality assurance and quality control in environmental radioactivity monitoring

To assure that radiological monitoring is reasonably valid, organisations performing such measurements have found it necessary to establish quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programs. These programs are needed to identify deficiencies in the sampling and measurement processes. In addition, validation of the monitoring aims to prove whether the results are acceptable. The major aim of QA and QC in analytical laboratories is to address measures used to verify the validity of the final results. In the document ISO 17025 the requirements on how to achieve QA and QC in analytical laboratories is described. All proposed measures for QC/QA are implemented in the Radiation and Environment Protection Department of Institute for Nuclear Sciences in Vinca, Belgrade. This paper presents the summarisation and analysis of QC and QA measures undertaken by the Laboratory for Environmental and Radiation Protection of the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences. Total of 6 months of QC/QA charts are presented in this paper for 2 HPGe gamma spectrometry detectors and one gross alpha/beta detector. The data were analysed and conclusions were made concerning the stability of the measurement systems. In cases of unsatisfactory behaviour of the system, some correctional measures are proposed and conducted and the effect on the measurement system is discussed.